Bike specs? Anything you would do different on bike set up? How did the FKT guy keep breaking spokes?
This was really enjoyable. Thanks!
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Bike specs? Anything you would do different on bike set up? How did the FKT guy keep breaking spokes?
This was really enjoyable. Thanks!
Dayum. The year I did it (1994) there were only 26 CT "completers" documented for the entire season. I'm sure there were more thru-hikers than that in '94, but 30-50 per *day* is quite eye-opening.Quote:
Originally Posted by evdog
The hikers hated Sargents just as much. It is a long dry section for them on top of all the loose rock that is no fun to walk on. At least I could get through it in half a day. Hikers have the pleasure of spending a night or two there.
Thanks!Quote:
Originally Posted by Canada1
Bike is a pretty much stock Transition Spur, GX level build. Minion DHF up front and an Agressor on the rear. The drivetrain was 32T x 10-52 (?) GX Eagle. I was planning to swap in a 28T chainring before the CT but never got around to it. So that will change in the future. I also ordered the Canfield 160mm cranks I posted about in the Ask an Expert thread. Hoping those help with the knee pain I sometimes get on long rides. With all the HAB on the CT it wasn't really an issue. Two other changes I'm planning - drill some slots in the Old Man mountain rack or add some tabs to help lash down the load better. I'd also like to transfer my hub dynamo from the 27.5" wheel its on now to a 29" wheel for this bike. It's very nice being able to power a light using the dynamo since it then doesn't require charging.
The FKT guy looked to be running light XC race wheels. Easy for loose rocks to get kicked up into your spokes on places like Sargents, and with a lightweight build that can easily break a spoke or five. That's why I run heavier wheels. Not only do the spokes not break as easy, I can keep riding with a broken spoke or two.
There were lots of CDT thru hikers too. Plus people doing the Collegiate Peaks loop or just backpacking a number of CT segments. There are around 350 completers listed on the CT org website so far for 2021, and that's just people who actually finished the trail who bothered to fill out their completers form. So there would have been lots more out there, and some are still going.Quote:
Originally Posted by skaredshtles
But yeah, thru hiking is crazy popular right now.
I have to say... there is not much of a better way to blow a few months. :DQuote:
Originally Posted by evdog
Fucking fantastic.
Ahsum post(s). Appreciate you taking the time to share your experience. Always amazed that you take the time to take so many pictures. I get that it gives you an excuse to take a break but when I'm really tired the last thing I want to do on a break is deal with getting out the camera to snap some shots.
Yeah, this deserves highlighting and praise for sure. The extra effort to take the pictures in the first place and then put them together here, with a great narrative, is impressive.Quote:
Originally Posted by rudy
This is a truly an epic TR. Thanks for sharing.
very cool, definitely a endeavor that's been occupying my mind lately, nice to read a pretty honest accounting of the experience! thanks for taking the time to put that all together!
Great TR. One of the best. Thanks.
Wow! Respect.
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Great TR, thanks for posting.
Awesome TR, thanks. Logistical question: how do you handle food storage/bear safety when camped?
Dude, awesome. I've been kicking around the idea of going for it next year...I'm not sure if I want to do it more or less after reading your report.
It's so cool and a very beautiful view.
Solid first post JONG.....FFS.Quote:
Originally Posted by error401
Lol. Yup there was only one view on the rideQuote:
Originally Posted by seano732
Do it! It really is an amazing ride. Just don't read schillingsworths TR. Or do...I linked to it somewhere.Quote:
Originally Posted by bean
You can always do sections if you don't want to commit to the whole thing
Not a lot honestly. Food stays in my pack or bike bags which are right next to me. Only black bears in CO which usually run away. Usually riding late-ish and up early, so that also limits exposure time. Definitely bring a bear can or ursack in grizz country.Quote:
Originally Posted by canyonrider
Saw a lot of bear cans at the start of the hike and just above Durango, but almost none in the middle. Guessing most of those got mailed home after a few days.
Thanks for sharing the journey through great words and pictures. Two friends have completed this: one a professional cyclist (at the time) and another a more novice mountain biker. They both said it was awesome but super hard! I've never really wanted to do it but your photos make it look like a great adventure.
Nice man, I've got plans to do it at the end of August next summer. Just hoping to beat 14 days which I don't think is crazy especially since I'll probably be doing it on a 29 pound trail bike unless I can find a more downcountry bike to use.
Curious, was the guy you saw who was trying to do the "fastest known time" riding on a hardtail? After talking with Neil Belchenko about the trail (which he has records on) he said he'd never do it on a hardtail, so inefficient and unforgiving which I'm inclined to agree with. Just take the small weight penalty of a shock and linkage and enjoy the ride haha
A truly incredible trip! Thank you for sharing
Really enjoyed reading this man! As others have said, I appreciate the time and effort you put it to document and write it up. Well done!
But I wonder if going at a more relaxed speed(less miles per day), would a lighter hardtail be better?Quote:
Originally Posted by bamboocoreONLY
It's so cool and a very beautiful view!
Thanks for posting that up evdog, what an excellent TR. Hats off man, that was a hell of a ride.
Maybe, but you'll still hate it on the the numerous amount of rocky descents you face on the CT. There's a whole lot to say about modern full suspension design in terms of climbing, as it works with the terrain in order to provide levels of grip that increase efficiency. A hardtail doesn't necessarily climb better just because you get more power to the pedals, a lot of the time you're fighting the terrain decreasing efficiency. It's the same reason you see a lot of high level XC racers going for full suspension bikes now.Quote:
Originally Posted by 406
I don't really think it matters what type bike you bring unless you're a racer going all out. They travel so light you can barely call it bikepacking, it's basically a four-five day long day ride.Quote:
Originally Posted by bamboocoreONLY
The real benefit to FS is that you don't get beat up as much over long distances as you would on a hardtail. But hardtails are manageable too, lots of people ride them on the CT. 200+ miles of the route is dirt or paved road favoring a hardtail. Maybe half the singletrack is very hardtail friendly. Descents and rougher singletrack sections are much nicer on FS. It can help with climbing traction but I'm often off the bike pushing to save my legs sooner on technical and steeper climbs, so I don't get as much help there as I would on a day ride. Racers have the legs to ride a lot more of that stuff, so along with the much longer hours of continuous riding the benefit really adds up.
If I hadn't found the rear rack setup for the Spur I wouldn't have hesitated to ride my hardtail on the CT. But with a few weeks of day rides planned after the CT I definitely wanted the FS for that trip.